Leg brace joint and lock



March 24, 1953 J. M. HAUSER ETAL LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK 9 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 March 24, 1953 J. M. HAUSER ET AL 2,632,440

LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 250 Fwgas. 172 .14.

' Suva How- J/zn M Hauser Eur/us M 5' w March 24, 1953 J. M. HAUSER ETAL 2,632,440

LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 nuenfomJ/m M Hauser Bar/re M ow J. M. HAUSER ETAL LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCKMarch 24, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 a t 0 r. M e v M aJohn M fizz/user 4.14 Z2677? M March 24,1953 J. M. HAUSER ETAL 2,632,440

LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK Filed Dec. 1'7. 194'? 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 .55.Fri .56. 3,510

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awueml'ou Jkn M f/cuwer v Burke MSnow 61 l l'ormu a J. M. HAUSER EI'ALLEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK March 24, 1953 9-Sheets-Sheet 6.

Filed Dec. 1'7, 1947 Jbhn' M Hausa? Bur/re March 24, 1953 J. M. HAUSERET AL LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 1'7, 194'?Jhn M lid/user %.-Bzz,rke/V Snow March 24, 1953 J. M. HAUSER ETAL2,632,440

LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 68 V4 JahnMI /awe? jurke M 8 020 a if M March24, 1953 J. M. HAUSER ETAL 2,632,440

use BRACE JOINT AND LOCK.

Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Jhn )1. Hausa?- Burke/*7. w

jZ I M Patented Mar. 24, 1953 LEG BRACE JOINT AND LOCK John M. Hauser,Takoma Park, Md., and Burke McArthur Snow, Washington, D. 0.

Application. December 17, 1947, Serial No. 792,250

10 Claims. (01. 128-80) (Granted :under Title 35, U. .8. Code (1952),

see. 266) 'The'invention described herein-may be manufactured and usedby or for the Government for governmental purposes, without payment tous of any royalty thereon.

"The. problem of providing efficient prosthetic appliances has receivedconsiderable attention both from the standpoint of injuries sustained bymilitary personnel during combat, and also because of the prevalence ofcrippling infections among civilian population. Many types of injuriesimpair the normal function of the limbs, and the problems of lesseningthe crippling effects of a variety of disease infections which producemuscular weakness and degeneration, and of assisting individuals whohave been damaged both from exterior and internal causes are activeones, parti'cularly during military operations and as an aftermaththereto.

Many individuals, who otherwise would be temporarily or permanentlyinvalided from various causes are assisted by mechanical braces which,when properly fitted, may enable an otherwise relatively helplesspatient to be ambulatory. Such brace accessories must possess certainrequirements as to fit and as to shifting the weight of the patient froman injured or damaged leg to the brace.

The present invention provides, specifically, an improved leg brace forassisting crippled individuals of any degree of impaired functions towalk. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a'legbrace which maybe manufactured readily, easily applied and removed bythe patient, and which is characterized by a naturalness of movementbetween cooperating parts, which follow closely the movements of naturaljoints.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brace having theabove-indicated characteristics which relieves eiiiciently the damagedleg from the weight of the individual, transferring this weight from theskeletal structure of the legs and feet to the brace appliance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved leg brace ofthe above-indicated character which can be manufactured easily by mass.production methods of parts which are simple to manufacture andassemble, and which are readily capable of being taken. apart, andinterchanged with other similar units or parts with lightness in weightand easeaofiabrication of l 2 the parts. To this end, the braces of theinvention are fabricated preferably from aluminum, or light metal alloysof well-known composition which combine strength with ease offabrication and lightness of weight.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved,light-weight leg brace which permits a substantially normal walkingmotion without imparting stresses or strains on the brace, whileefficiently transferring the weight of the individual from the damagedleg to the appliance.

Further objects and advantages of the present construction will becomeapparent as the description proceeds, and the features of novelty willbe pointed, out with particularity in the appended claims.

Generally speaking, the advantages of the present invention are obtainedby making a brace that is intended to enclose the damaged leg from thethigh to the angle, the brace comprising a thigh section and a legsection which are reenforced with a suitable .number .of bands orcorsets adapted to encircle the thigh and leg sections and to supportand engage the thigh, calf and ankle portions of the leg to be braced.The thigh and leg sections are interconnected by a novelacting doublejoint which follows the normal bending action of the knee-joint of theleg, as will be pointed out in detail hereinafter. This type of bracepermits a normal walking motion of the individual, while allowing thebrace to conform to the individual deformities of the damaged leg.

There are two general modifications of braces contemplated by thepresent invention, which modifications are directed to the details ofthe aforesaid double joint between the brace sections. In one form, thejoint is continuously free to move, whereas in the other and preferredmodification, control of relative movement between the brace sections iseffected by the provision of various types of locking i-nstrumentalitieswhich are so arranged that the brace sections and lookinginstrumentalities maybe .adjustably held in predetermined positions,thereby effecting a control of the double joint forming one of thefeatures of the present improved construction.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists indetails of construction, and in the arrangement and combination of partsto be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference gwill be had to theaccompanying drawings forming part of the application, wherein likecharacters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved form of leg braceprovided with a leveroperated, rotary lock, double-hinged pivotal kneejoint;

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing a portion of a lateral bracingmember including the knee joint when the brace is in extended and lockedposition;

Figure 3 is a side elevation showing a portion of the lateral bracingmember including the knee joint when the brace is in flexed and unlockedposition;

Figure 4 is a sectionized view, the section being taken on the line IVIVof Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the central bearing member, thepivotally mounted support members, portions of an upper and a lowerlateral brace, and the rotary lock member;

Figure 6 is a perspective of the central bearing member, similar to thatshown in Figure 5, with the stays and locking member removed, showingthe bearings for the stays projecting therefrom;

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of anothermodified form of leg brace;

Figure 8 is a side elevation showing a portion of a lateral bracingmember including the knee joint when the brace is in extended and lockedposition;

Figure 9 is a side elevation showing a portion of the lateral bracingincluding the knee joint when the brace is in flexed and unlockedposition;

Figure 10 is a sectionized view, the section being taken on the line X-Xof Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the central bearing member;

Figure 12 is a side elevation showing a further modified form of thedevice in which the looking member is moved laterally to effectengagement and disengagement with the pivotally mounted support members;

Figure 13 is a sectionized elevation, the section being taken on theline XIII-XIII of Figure 12 and illustrating the central portion of alateral brace when the laterally movable locking member is in lockedposition;

Figure 14 is a similar view to Figure 13, showing the locking member inunlocked position;

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a furthermodified form of the device in which the locking member isanteriorlyposteriorly, slidably mounted within the central bearingmember operated by levers located laterally to said bearing member;

Figure 16 is a side elevation showing a portion of the lateral bracingmembers, including the central bearing member, when the brace is lockedin extended position;

Figure 1'7 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a side elevation showing a portion of the lateral bracingmembers, including the knee joint, when the brace is unlocked and inextended position;

Figure 19 is a partially sectionized side elevation, the section beingtaken on the line XIXXIX in Figure 17;

Figure 20 is a partially sectionized side elevation similar to thatshown in Figure 19, but with the locking member in unlocked position andthe lateral brace in flexed position;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of the knee joint,

4 the section being taken on the line XXIXIH of Figure 16;

Figure 22 is a sectionized elevation, the section being taken on theline XXIIX)QI of Figure 16; Figure 23 is a side elevation showinganother modified form of the device provided with ananteriorly-posteriorly, slidable locking member operated by a discshapedlever;

Figure 24 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a furthermodified form of the device in which the locking member isanteriorly-posteriorly, slidably mounted within the central bearingmember and is operated by a push button located anteriorly to saidbracing member;

Figure 25 is a side elevation showing a portion of the bracing members,including the central bearing member, when the brace is in lockedextended position;

Figure 26 is an elevation showing a posterior view of the structureillustrated in Figure 25;

Figure 27 is an elevation showing an anterior view of the structureillustrated in Figure 25;

Figure 28 is a sectionized view, the section being taken on the lineXXVIII-XXVII[ of Figure 25;

Figure 29 is a sectionized view, the section being taken on the lineXXIX-XXIX of Figure 25;

Figure 30 is a partially sectionized side elevation showing a portion ofthe bracing member, including the central bearing member, when the braceis in unlocked and-flexed position;

Figure 31 is a perspective view of the central bearing member;

Figure 32 is a perspective showing in detail the construction of thevarious parts of the looking mechanism;

Figure 33 is a perspective view showing the upper and central portion ofanother modified form of the device in which the superior and inferiorbracing members are rotatably engaged and move in unison, and in whichthe locking device is of the cam and lever type;

Figure 34 is a lateral elevation showing the bracing members in extendedand locked position;

Figure 35 is an end elevation of the device as shown in Figure 34;

Figure 36 is a partially sectionized elevation, the section being takenon the line XXXVI-XXXVI of Figure 34;

Figure 37 is a partially sectionized plan view, the section being takenon the line XXXVIIXXXVII of Figure 34;

Figure 38 is a side elevation showing the superior and inferior bracingmembers in vertical alignment and the locking mechanism in unlatchedposition;

Figure 39 is a side elevation showing the superior and inferior bracingmembers in flexed position and the locking mechanism in unlatchedposition;

Figure 40 is a side elevation of a modified form of brace joint havinginterlocking bracing members freely movable in unison;

Figure 41 is a perspective view showing the upper and central portion ofanother modified form of the device;

Figure 42 is a lateral elevation showing the bracing members in extendedposition;

Figure 43 is an end elevation of the modified form of the deviceillustrated in Figure 42, showing an anterior view thereof;

Figure 44 is an end elevation of the modified ageeamo "iformillustratedfiinfi igure .42 showing aposterior thereof Figure 45 is -aperspective showing 1 the '1 comliined central heating amember andspring 'hous- *ingftheccentral" portions or the tsuperior and ibeingtaken :on the line "L-L of Figure '47;

ifiigure-bl is an elevationgsimilar toathat'shown Figure 52 is 'aperspective view :showing the upperandcentral portion of a still'furthermodi- -Tfied term :of the device which is not provided with a'locking{mechanism and in which the leg 'bracesare fiexedagainst theaction of aisprin'g;

Figure 53 is a partially sectionized,lateral elevationishowing thespringilocated in the central ibearing section retaining the brace inextended "position;

Figure .54Zis a'ipartially z-sectionized (lateral eleagainst the actionof the spring whichis enrolosed within th icentrafl -bra'cing member;

"iEigure 55 1s ib'eing taken on he line LV LV 1 of Figure '58; Figure156 is ;a sectionized a iew,' the .sse'ction being taken on theilineINI- LVI f Figure 53; Figure 5 is a "lateral eievation s'showing anexterior view of-the central bearing sectionwith -ra='portion of the.upperand loweribracing m'em- "here in extended position;

Figure 58 iis an en d 'l'evation showin'g an +antei ior'wiew of thecentral bearing meniber and "Figure 59 a perspective '-vi'ew showing theupper and central por-tion I or -=another modified 'form of thelievicegin which the ceritral bearing member is not provided with alocking-mechamism and in'*which the upper==and "lower braces rare erily'alioweh f-to flex pos'tei iorly due ite "the arcuately iormed centralportion o'i the bearing member;

-Figure 60 Fis a"=latera1 elevation or the iiev ic'e showing thebracin'g members in extended posii -tionv;

'?Figure "61 awn-ens elevation of the -modifietl form o'f the =deviee in-"-Figure b9 showing an anterior view there'of';

*Torm ofthe deviceillustrated-in Figure 59,-"show- *ingamoster'ior viewthereof; V

Figure is "a perspective showing the "con- 'struction -of the centralbearing member;

'Figuret i is a "sectionizedwiew taken orrth'e *linelLEflV ofFigure 61,showingtheben- "tral bearing member-with upper and -lower=bracespivotally *connected thereto and showing in dotted lines thebracesin.flexed position;

Figure "65 is "a "sectionized "View, the "section sectionized :view; thesection vati'on showing -th'e "bracing members flexed 6 *being takenizonthe Liline .LXV-T-LXV :of Figure 130;

Eigurelfifids al-lateral zelevationrdilntill another modified :form of''the invention, showing :a central bearingamemberwhich is slotted at.ieither end thereofxan'd into which :slots ithetnpper and lowerlateralibraces arepivotallymounted;

L'Figure i67 "isfa ssectionized1.elevation,*theosection being taken onthe line "of Figure'66;

Figure I 68 is a 'perspective view tshowingoa preferred form ofttheLdBViCBQiIliWhiGh the locking member is rotatably mounted withinthe-central bearing memberib'etween the'adjacent :endsr'of .the'npperiamd lower :stays :on an anteriorly-jpos- "teri'orlyextendingf'axis J-Eigure L 69 is :a xpartiallyisecticnized lateralelevation showing lithe :arrangement .of the :central locking member"when "the stays "are :extended and lockeilongitudinally;

V'Fi'gure 701 is :a partially :s'ectionized lateral elekvationishowingthe :knee joint infiexed position;

(Figure :71 is a :sectionized view, the section being ?taken:onthedimlQQCI-LEQKI of Figure :69;

Figure "'12 .:is 5a 's'ectionized *view, the .section 1 beingztaken onthe line' LXXII-QLXXII ofsFigure '69 and :Figure "23 is:afrontaelevation .of "the knee joint showing the lock operatingvlever.

Inltherciescription'whichiollowsit willibeznoted ith'atthe knee jointsishown :are constructed "with dc1ib1e'1pivota1 connectionsllocated onthe central 1? bearing memberwhichrmay. or may not containa.lockingiapparatus.

iFi'gs. l 25an'd i3 showmne form1o'f the. improved "ileg brace, having:a :Idcuble gpivoted :lockin'g type ,kneet'joint. fl-hefnumeral:luindicates :lth'e 111131181, longitudinal stays which are connected:to -'a maddediischial wing member :III and :to wthe central bearingmembers I 8' Of'the knee joints. The rnumeral i-z :indicates theflowen:longitudinal'stays iWhiCh r are :formed with :upper and lower sectionsl3 and M, respectively, which are overlappedand riveted'ztogether fformeans f --acljustment. The rapper :sections l3 -are connected :to the.central bearing members titaandtthe lower-sections M are :connectedwith double rpivotal ankle zbearing joints which, turn, are connected tothe n stirrup'member i6 attacheditothe shoe H. The centrally located:ends of .the stays are :con-

nected to the central bearing members 1B,:either :directly or;;by:mea'ns of end rconnectingzimembers :zza-randi su, tTheslongitudinalstays may EBB-0T tubular for :solid (bar. :constru'ction.

.ZReierring-to figsxsl fi and 6,it will be-xnoted wthatrthe centralbearing member .18 is formed ivithfaczeentral-ly locatedbearing-.isurface 2.0, havcirculazclyiiormed'wallsvtl and 2 If,and:a-:conrc'entriically arranged tapped hole 2.3 for theireception ofa pivot screw-fliiwhich' isiadapted ,toiretain :circular-"shapedzlo'ckingmember' .2 5 lwithinithe shearing'spacerformeidby :the walls 2!and '2 l :and

the bearingrsuiifaceifl.

"The end p'ortionsi 6 .of' the bearingimember i 8 :are also"circular-shaped and are :provided with ;machined:surfaces 2:1, .andwithcentrally tapped. openings :42 "for the reception of the iscrevmrrzil."These end portions are adapted $.t0 retain, tin pivotal connection, thefendimembers :29 and "of the s'tays and l 2, which are oitcircularsoontour and provided with machined contact surfa'ces. These'end memberslflzandiwrare held .in contact with the .end. portions of thebearing members by means of 'lthe screws i238 which "fit within sleeves4I formed integrally with the bearing members IS. The lateral portionsof the bearing member project beyond the surface of the end and centralportion, all of which lie in the same plane. cated by the numerals 20and 21, are machined and form bearing surfaces respectively for thepivoted connecting members of the stays and for the rotary lockingmember 25.

Instead of providing the stays It! and I2 with end members 29 and 35,the ends of the stays Ill and I2 may be machined and utilized as pivotalconnections.

The rotary locking member 25 fits snugly within the circular-shapedopening formed by the walls 2I and 2 I of the central bearing memher,the clearance being just sufiicient to allow the locking member torotate freely. Opposite sides of the rotary locking member are providedwith arcuately cut-away portions 32 and 32 having the same curvature asthe circular end pieces which are pivotally connected to the bearingmember, so that the stays may be moved angularly when these arcuatelycut-away portions are adjacent their circular surfaces 34' and 35. Theend pieces also are provided with arcuately cut away portions 33 which,when positioned so that they are adjacent the circular portion of thelocking member, serve to retain the end portions and the stays in lockedposition.

The rotary locking member 25 is provided with a small screw 3I whichprojects from its exposed surface when the said rotary member isretained on its base by the screw 24. This pin is adapted to slidewithin an elongated opening 36 in a lever member 3? which is pivotallyconnected to the bearing member I8 by the screw 33 so that, withmovement of the lever, rotation of the locking member is effected. Thelocking member 25 is returned to locking position by means of the 4spring 22. The lever is operated through links 39 which are connected toan arcuately formed lever 48 which is pivotally connected to the upperstays Ill.

The ends of the stays III and I2 are each provided with shoulders 45 sothat, when the wearer of the brace has his leg outstretched or straightand the stays are in longitudinal alignment, the shoulders 45 contactthe forward abutments of the central bearing member and thus prevent theangularity of the stays from passing an angle of 18W or a straight line.

It will be noted in the construction that the weight of the patientsbody is transmitted through the upper braces It) to the rotary lookingmember 25, and from the rotary locking member to the lower braces I2,thus relieving the pivota1 supports of pressure. The construction inwhich the pressure is transmitted from one bearing member to the otheris found in all of the modified forms of the device.

Figs. '7 to 11, inclusive, show a modified form of the device which isconstructed very similarly to the form set forth in Figs. 1 to 6,inclusive.

Fig. 7 illustrates a form of improved leg brace having a double pivotedlocking knee joint in which the locking member comprises a rotary cam.The numeral I I I) indicates the upper stays which are connected to anischial ring III, and tothe central bearing members II8 of the kneejoints. The numera1 II2 indicates the lower stays, only the upperportions of which are shown. The upper ends of the lower stays H2 areconnectedto the central bearing members H8 and the lower portionsthereof (not shown) are con- These surfaces, which are indinected to apivotal ankle bearing joint which in turn is connected to a stirrup asshown in Fig. l. The centrally located ends of the stays are connectedto the central bearing members I I8 either directly or by means of endconnecting members I29 and I30.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 11, it will be noted that the central bearingmember I I8 is formed with a centrally located bearing surface I havingcircularly formed walls I2I and I2 I, and a concentrically arrangedtapped hole I23 for the reception of a pivot screw I24, which is adaptedto retain a circular cam-shaped locking member I25 within the bearingspace I20.

The end portions I26 of the bearing members IIE are also circular-shapedand are provided with machined surfaces I21 and with centrally tappedopenings I42 for the reception of screws I23. These end portions I25 areadapted to retain in pivotal connection the end members I29 and I38 ofthe stays H0 and I I2 which are of circular contour and provided withmachined contact surfaces. The end members I29 and I30 are drilled forreception of bearings I4I which extend from the ends of the centralbearing member I I8. The stays are held in contact with the end portionsof the bearing member H8 by means of screws I28 which fit within thebearings MI and engage the threaded openings I42 and thereby retain thestays in pivotal connection with the bearing members. The lateralportions of the bearing members project beyond the surface of the endand central portion, all of which lie in the same plane. These surfacesare indicated by the numerals I25 and I21, respectively, are machinedand form bearing surfaces for the pivotal connecting members of thestays and for the rotary locking member.

The rotary cam-shaped locking member I25 fits snugly within thecircular-shaped opening formed by the walls I2I and I2I of the centralbearing member, the clearance being just sufficient to allow the lockingmember to rotate freely. Opposite sides of the locking member areflattened or have straight cut-away portions leaving flat parallelsurfaces I32 so that the stays may be moved angularly when the cutawayportions are adjacent the circular surfaces I34 and I35 of the stays.The end pieces are provided with arcuately cut-away portions I33 which,when positioned that they are adjacent the circular portion of thelocking member, serve to retain the end portions and stays in lockedposition.

The rotary member I25 is provided with a lever arm I 3| which projectsfrom the side thereof and which is used to rotate the same through aconnecting link I46 which is connected to an operating lever I41. Theoperating lever I4! is retained inraised position by an elastic memberII3 which is attached to the operating lever and to a strap I44 which isconnected to the stays IIO. To move the rotary locking member intoinoperative position, the lever I41 is depressed against the action ofthe elastic member H3.

The ends of the stays I Ill and H2 are each provided with shoulders I45so that, when the wearer of the brace has his leg extended and the upperand lower stays H4 and H2 respectively are in longitudinal alignment,the shoulders I45 contact the forward abutments of the central bearingmember and thus prevent the angularity of the stays from passing anangle of or a straight line.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show another modified form mesa-44o 9. of: the;device in: which; the. locking; mechanism is. operated by: a push.button; l which. may be. formed integrally with: a slidable latchingmember 225; The central bearingmember 210 is. formed with a centralcircular well. 2 62 in which the latching member. 225 is slidably,mounted. The latching member is'drilled centrally for the support'of aspring1203 which retains the latching: member in forward lockedposition; The end members 229, 230-, ofthe staysearepiv otally'connectedto the central bearing member in the same manner as illustrated in.the.mod.- ification shownin Figs. '7 to11,,inclusive.. These endmembers 229and 230 terminatein..arcs.-2.3.l

whichare concentric with their. pivotcpenings,

and the .arcuate ends-areprovided with arcuately cut-awaypor-tions 2 33which are.- engaged. by. the circular disc-shapedportion 2-25 ofthe:locking member 2 when thelocking member. is... in locked position-InzFigs. 15 to .22; inclusive, .amodified formof the deviceis' shown inwhich thelocking mecha: nism is formed. with aslidable locking. member Iwhichmay be moved posteriorly-anteriorly within a'central slot inthecentral .bearingmember sogthat-it will-1iebetweenthe flattenedsurfaces of the. end members,320- and 330, .I'eSpfiQ- tiY -Yi. of the:stays 310. and. 312; The. slidably mounted. locking; member. or. latch.30!- is: pro..- vided'. witha. pin or. screw 3.021 which" projectsthrough a slotted: opening. 303 in the I central bearing; member 310.This. screw. projects through aislottedopening 304': in a lever member.05 which; ispivotally; mounted. on. the; central bearing member; Aspringi306- isconnected; to

308;-in.;which' thelatch 30I;is slidablymounted;

Theendsof the. stays 310 and 312. areeachprovided withshoulders 305 sothat, .whenthe wearer of;..the brace has. his leg outstretchedor.straight and thestays. are in longitudinal alignment, the shoulders; 309. contact the 3 forward abutment 301 of. the central bearing member.and;.thusr prevent the-.angularity-ofthe stays. frompassingan. angle of.180 or;.a straight line;

The: end... members 320 and 330'. terminate... in arcs -33l which areconcentriowith thepivot opening ,and the arcuate. ends :are 2 provided.with flat portions. 323 whichare enga ed by theflock-r ing. member: 30Lto. retain the. stays. in. out.- stretched or longitudinal alignment.

Figs. 23- showsthesame form; of, device -.as..illus-. trated'. in Figs.15- to. 22,. inclusive... but with.a modifiediforml of; operating lever-Therlever. 34! consists. of a cam-shaped plate .provided. with .acurved..edge342 and a.proj ecting,arm.343.. The plateispivotally mountedon. the central-bear: ingmember bya screw 344... Theplateisprovided.withv a slotted. opening which enga es. the screw'or pin 302. The.leverv is. operatedxby a Bowden .wirex. 345 'whichis. attached. to-thealever through a. drilled hole. 346. therein... TheBowden wireapasses,througha tube.341 connected toethe upper. stay; 310. and is-operated. bya-.bell -crank lever 348* pivotally. mounted on. .the stay;

Figs. 24 to 32,-, inclusive,. show: modification in'a which thecentral.bearingmemberi 4l8ris provided with. anterior and; posterior-:-laterally projecting portions 401' and1A0Biwhich'; aresdrilled centrallyfor; slidably; mounting as. bolt: member 401 therein. To the. boltsmember 4012 is ate tached. as... U;1-shaped; locking; member: 402i".which 10 engages. the; fiat surfacesv 403-. and. 40.4. at. the ends of.the-stays. 4 I 0 and-.4.l-2,,. in order; to retain them. inlongitudinalalignment... 7

The. anterion, laterally projecting. portion. 40! is. drilled" centrallyto a. small. and. larger diameter to accommodate respectively the bolt40! and: a; coiled spring 40!. which. surrounds the anterior;- end:thereof: and. acts, againstthe bottom of thelarger opening and. a. knob413? on the exterior end of. the; portion of -theboltmwhich iszofrsmaller diameter. The .U-shaped-.member 402;-isj attached to: the:bolt, AM by ascrew. M4 the" head ofwhich projects laterally fromtliebolt; In orderftoylimitlthe.pivotal action of the staysthey areprovided. with shoulders 409' which, when: the stays are. extended.inlongitudinal alignment-abut the anterior laterally extending portion;401. of thecentral. bearing;- member.

In Figs: 33 to 39,-inclusive, there. is shown the constructionof. amodified form of adoublia. pivoted. knee: joint-,-, the. adjacent ends.of, the upper and lower stays. H0 and 512- of which. are; re.- tained inmeshing relationso that angular. move.- ment. of one. produces angular.movement. of the other.. Simultaneous. movement isv effected byproviding a .projection 524- on-. the end of. one. of saidstayswhichextends. into. areces 525ion the end ofthe otherrstay.

Theilocking; mechanism in this .type. of? J'bint comprises a. hook.-520: which. is. pivotally connected. by as screw- 5H to. the. encL ofone... stay, and which engagesa recess-5221 in the. opposite stay-- and,a; recess; 52-2, in. the: central. bearing member 51 8,. the central.bearing member. being composed of. parallel plates 5l9. to. which... thestays are-pivotally; connected... The hooliisrer tained in locked.position by; a. spring. 5231 which is. connected. to. the: bearing.member 518.. The hooka;520.is disengaged from-the recesses 522'. and522% by, a lever. 526. and-cam 521,.the lever 526 and: cam; 52']; being.mounted. on. a shaft 528 mounted iIl OIlQ-OJE the.p1ates.5l9. Thecamdikeaction provides. a: polycentric. motion, thus the upper. andlower stays.although. operating. from separate pivot points, act in unison therebyobe taining; equal imovementsof the staysaboutreach pivot'point. when:-the lock is operated.

Fig. 40 showsanothersmodified.form which is similar tmthatshown in.Figs. 3.31to. 39,.inclusive. In thelform show-n.- in..Fig.;40,, nolocking;-.mechanism. is:.sho.wn. The endipieces of. theistaysfi'l 0 and6.12,. each-.of which is.pivoted.by. separate pivotalconnections to thecentral bearing member 6 1.8, are, formed .with S-shaped interlockingendseso. thatathe. projecting portion 62-1. on-stay, 6112:projectswithin arecess: 622 onstay. 6 I0. and projecting portion.620on-.stay 6] 0 projectsawithin recess 62 3. on stay- 61 2.

Fligs:..41 to: 51-; show a brace..having a modified form of centralbearing-member. TI 8. which com pr-isesrahousing; IN-having; twovcircular. compartments 1.21 and. a -.central: abutment: member: 122.

The ends-.ofistays H0 and. H 21*. are. each. drilled and tapped:toreceivev the. threadedv end.

the stays and the top of the housing are drilled at I29 and I30,respectively, to receive the ends of coiled springs I32. The stays areprovided with shoulders HI, and the springs retain the stays inlongitudinal alignment with the shoulders I3I in contact with theabutment member I22. Thus, by motivating each joint with a helicalspring, a mechanical means is provided to assist the muscular system inmaintaining the joint at an extended position.

A modified form of contact bearing in which the stays are retained inlongitudinal position or at 180 to each other by a longitudinal coiledspring is shown in Figs. 52 to 58, inclusive. This type of centralbearing member BIB is formed with a longitudinal cylindrical portion SIGwith parallel fiat walls 820 projecting therefrom. The walls are unitedcentrally by a wedge-shaped central abutment 82I. Stays 8H) and M2 arepivotally mounted between the parallel walls, and are provided withprojecting portions 825 which function as abutments. A coil spring 825is mounted within the cylindrical portion 8l9; caps 822 which havesemi-spherical abutting portions are positioned at either end of thespring and serve to contact the projecting portions 824 of the stays andthus exert pressure on the stays to align them longitudinally as shownin Fig. 53. The stays are also provided with projecting end portions 823which contact the central abutment 82I when the stays are longitudinallyaligned at an angle of 180 to each other.

In Figs. 59 to 65, inclusive, is shown one of the simplest forms of thedouble pivoted central bearing member. In this form, central bearingmember 9 I8 is constructed with two circular discshaped end pieces 9I9connected to a laterally projecting central portion 922 which functionsboth as a bearing portion for the end of the stays 9III and' BIZ, whichare shaped arcuately, and as an abutment to prevent the stays fromattaining an angle of over 180. The curved portions 920 of the centralbearing member serve as bearing surfaces for the arcuate surfaces 92I ofthe stays.

A simpler form of central bearing member 58 is shown in Figs. 66 and 67,in which fiat surfaces 50 of the stays 6| and 62 abut the flat surfacesof the central abutment 52.

Figs. 68 to '73, inclusive, show another form of knee joint consistingof a central bearing member I58 to which are pivotally connected endpieces I5I of stays I52. The central bearingmember I50 is provided witha centrally located shaft bearing I53 posteriorly through the centerthereof. Within the bearing I53 is rotatably mounted a locking shaftI54. The locking shaft I54 is provided with oppositely located, cut-outchannels I55. The shaft is held within the bearing I53 by means of a capI56 and one end of the central bearing member which extends partiallyacross a the end of the shaft, as indicated at I60. The

shaft is held in locked position by means of a spring I5! and may berotated by'means of a lever I58. The end pieces I5I of the stays I52terminate in segments of circular discs I58 which are flattened at onesection thereof as indicated by the numeral I6I, the surface I6I of theflattened portion being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of thestays.

The circular exterior surface of the shaft engages the flattenedportions ISI of the ends of the stays and locks the braces inlongitudinal position and, when the shaft is turned so that whichextends anteriorlythe channels I55 therein are opposite the ends of thebraces, the arcuate portions of the ends can pass through the channelsand thus allow the braces to assume a flexed position. The end membersI5I of the stays I52 are each provided with shoulders I62 so that, whenthe wearer of the brace has his leg outstretched or straight and thestays are in longitudinal alignment, the shoulders I62 contact theforward abutments I63 of the central bearing member and thus prevent theangularity of the stays passing an angle of or a straight line.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and wish to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A leg brace comprising upper and lower longitudinal stays havingarcuately formed end portions with arcuate locking recesses therein, aknee joint comprising a central bearing member having a centrallylocated counterbored circular bearing recess, separate pivotalconnections uniting said bearing member with the upper and lower staysof said brace, means in connection with the central bearing member forlimiting the angular movement of said stays, a centrally locatedrotatably movable locking member mounted within said bearing recess,said locking member having arcuate bearing surfaces adapted to engagethe arcuate recesses in the stays to lock them in longitudinal alignmentand the locking member being provided with arcuate lateral recessesadapted to allow the arcuate portion of the stays to rotate within thebearing recess to permit unrestrained angular movement of said stays, aspring connected to the locking member and to the central bearing memberadapted to urge the locking member into locked position, a pinprojecting laterally and eccentrically from said rotatable lookingmember, a lever arm engaging said pin and pivotally mounted on saidcentral bearing member, and an actuating lever pivotally connected tosaid stays and tosaid lever arm for moving the locking member out oflocked position.

2. A leg brace comprising upper and lower 1ongitudinal stays havingarcuately formed end portions with arcuate locking recesses therein, aknee joint comprising a central bearing member having a centrallylocated countersunk bearing recess with a posterior aperture, separatepivotal connections uniting said bearing member with the upper and lowersections of said brace, means in connection with the central bearingmember for limiting the angular movement of said stays, a centrallylocated rotatably movable locking member mounted within said recess,said locking member having arcuate bearing surfaces adapted to engagethe arcuate recesses in the stays to lock them in longitudinal alignmentand having flat lateral surfaces adapted to clear the circular portionof the stay ends to allow the free angular movement of said stays, leverarms extending from said rotary locking members, a link connected tosaid lever arms, and an actuating lever pivotally connected to saidstays and to said link for controlling the operation of said link, anarcuate band connected to said upper stays, and an elastic memberconnected to said arcuate band and to said actuating'lever adapted tourge the rotary locking member into locked position.

3. A leg brace comprising upper and lower 1ongitudinal stays, a kneejoint comprising a central bearing member having a centrally locatedanteriorly-posteriorly extending passage and a slot communicating withsaid passage, separate pivotal connections uniting said bearing memberwith the upper and lower sections of said .brace,

means in connection with the central bearing member for limiting theangular movement of said stays, a centrally located, horizontallymovable locking member slidably" mounted Within said passage; a pinconnected to-said locking member and projectingthrough the-longitudinalslot, and an operating lever provided with a longitudinal slot engaged.by' said pin, said lever being pivotally mounted on said centralbearing member, and a s ring connected to the lever and to the centralbearing member adaptedto urge" the locking memberinto locked: position;

4.-. A leg brace comprising upper and lower stays, said: lower stayhaving. an indentation on the edge thereof, a centralbearing memberhaving air-indentation in the" edge thereof, separate pivotal bearings"pivotally' connecting said stays with said central bearing member, alatchh'ook pivotally'connected toone of said stays adapted to lock thestays in" longitudinal position when theiend ofsaidlever engages the"indentation in said central bearing member and in saidlower stay, aspringadapted to urge'the hook into'locking position, and a leverpivotally mounted on said central bearing member.

5. A leg brace comprising upper and lower longitudinal stay havingintermeshing S-shaped ends pivoted separately to a central bearingmember, said intermeshing S-shaped ends functioning to effect angularmovement of one of said stays with the angular movement of the other tolimit the angular movement of both stays, and locking means on the bracefor releasably looking the upper and lower stay in aligned position.

6. In combination with a leg brace, upper and lower longitudinal stays,a knee joint comprising a central bearing member having a centrallylocated, anteriorly-posteriorly extending passage, spaced pivots in thecentral bearing member disposed in longitudinal axial alignmenttherewith and connecting the upper and lower stays thereto, a lockingmember rotatably mounted in said passage, means retaining said lockingmember within said passage, means effecting rotation of the said lockingmember, and means formed integrally with said locking member forengaging and disengaging said stays to respectively retain them inlongitudinal alignment and to permit relative angular movement thereof,the weight of a Wearers body being transmitted through the upper staysto the locking member and from the locking member to the lower stays,while avoiding substantial pressure on the said spaced pivots.

7. In combination with a leg brace, upper and lower longitudinal stayshaving arcuately formed end portions with fiat surfaces formed on asecant to said are, a knee joint comprisin a central bearing memberhaving a centrally located, anteriorly-posteriorly extending passage ofcircular cross-section, and a locking member rotatably mounted in saidpassage, said locking member having portions provided with oppositelyarranged flattened surfaces defining abutments adapted to engage anddisengage the end portions of the said stays to retain them inlongitudinal alignment and to permit relative angular movement of thestays.

8. An ambulatory leg brace assembly comprising a frame includingoppositely disposed stay members for engaging inner and outer surfacesof a leg of a wearer, a padded ischial ring member interconnecting thestay members at upper ends thereof, a relatively rigid thigh-enclosingsleeve secured to the stay members, said stay members and rigidenclosing sleeve forming a thigh section of the brace, a lower sectionof thebrace; assemblyadapted to enclose the calf portion of a: l'eg-ofrawearer and comprising oppositely disposed stay members aligned with thestay members. ofthe thigh section of the brace assembly, a knee jointinterconnecting the aligned thigh and calf-stay members, a pair ofspaced alignedpivot members positioned in the knee joint inlongitudinal: axial alignment with the corresponding thighs. andcalf-stay members, the said pivot members adapted to be located adjacentto the-knee-of-a wearer of the brace' with one of the pivot, membersjust above the knee and the other justrbelow the knee, thereby enablingarticulati'onof the frame sections in the manner similar-to: the normalarticulation of the knee joint of the; le supported by the frame, andcommon locking means for the stay members intermediate the thigh andcalf -stay members, the said stay members and locking means beingprovided withcooperating cam-acting locking surfaces for preventingmovement of the stays about. the: pivot points when the locking meansare in looking position, actuating mechanism on the knee joint andwithin convenient accessibility of the wearer for simultaneouslyshifting the locking means into and out of locking engagement with thestay members for selectively rigidly interlocking and releasing thesections of the supporting frame, and stop means on the frame sectionscooperating with the knee joint for preventing angular movement betweenthe frame sections from passing the angle of when the frame sectionsreach fully extended position.

9. An ambulatory leg brace structure having a calf section and a thighsection, each of these sections including oppositely disposed stay bars,the said stay bars of one of the sections being in alignment withcorresponding stay bars of the other section when the brace structure isin fully extended position, and a knee joint interconnecting thethighand calf-section stay bars, the said knee joint including a pair ofspaced aligned pivot members positioned in the knee joint inlongitudinal axial alignment with the corresponding thighand calf -staybars, the said pivot members adapted to be located adjacent to the kneeof a wearer of the brace With one of the pivot members just above theknee and the other just below the knee, thereby enabling articulation ofthe calf section and thigh section of the brace in the manner similar tothe normal articulation of the knee joint of the leg supported by thebrace, and common locking means for the stay bars intermediate thethighand calf stay bars, the said stay bars being provided withcooperating cam-acting looking surfaces for preventing movement of thebars about the pivot members when the locking means are in lookingposition, actuating mechanism on the knee joint and within convenientaccessibility of the wearer for simultaneously shifting the lockingmeans into and out of locking engagement with the stay bars forselectively rigidly interlocking and releasing the thigh and calfsections of the brace, and stop means on the said sections cooperatingwith the knee joint for preventing angular movement between the saidsections from passing 180 when the sections reach fully extendedposition.

10. A knee joint for interconnecting corresponding bar members of athigh section and a calf section of an articulated ambulatory leg brace,the knee joint including oppositely disposed links interconnecting thesaid corresponding bar members, each link having a pair of correspondingspaced aligned pivot members positioned in the knee joint atcorresponding adjacent ends of the said corresponding bar members and inlongitudinal axial alignment with the said bar members, the said pivotmembers adapted to be located adjacent to the knee of a wearer of thebrace with one of the pivot members just above the knee and the otherjust below the knee, thereby enabling articulation of the calf sectionand thigh section of the brace in the manner similar to the normalarticulation of the knee joint of the leg supported by the brace, andcommon locking means for the said corresponding bar members intermediatethe said bar members, the said bar members and locking means beingprovided with cooperating cam-acting locking surfaces for preventingmovement of the stay bars about the pivot points when the locking meansare in locking po sition, actuating mechanism on the knee joint andwithin convenient accessibility of the wearer for simultaneouslyshifting the locking means into and out of locking engagement with thestay bars for selectively rigidly interconnecting the thigh and calfsections of the brace, and stop means on the stay bars cooperating withthe knee joint for preventing angular movement between correspondingstay bar from passing the position of longitudinal alignment when thesections of the brace reach fully extended position.

JOHN M. HAUSER. BURKE MCARTHUR SNOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

